Our Team

Alan is the Interim Deputy Director and Senior Director of Conservation. He oversees LCF’s Habitat Restoration, Fuel Modification, Land Management and Trail programs. Alan has always been passionate about the outdoors and has spent a decent chunk of his life living and working there, including leading wilderness expeditions, working on wildland fire, trail and weed management crews and researching the use of prescribed fire and mechanical thinning to restore forest ecosystems. He has been with LCF since 2014. When he’s not at work, he can generally be found spending time with family, practicing primitive skills, or making & repairing things in his garage.

As a Field Specialist, Cade leads the field crew in restoring and maintaining the South Coast Wilderness. He graduated summa cum laude from California State University Fullerton with a degree in biological science (ecology and evolutionary biology). After a trip to Pinnacles National Park in 2017 and volunteering monthly with California State Parks, Cade gained a newfound respect for conservation and decided to pursue a career in ecological restoration. This passion for the environment carries over to his work where he is dedicated to protect and preserve Southern California’s native biodiversity. In his free time, he enjoys reading and organizing his large collection of books, exploring different music genres, and taking hikes with friends and family.

Christie grew up in Irvine, while orange groves and many open hillsides were filled with housing tracts and shopping centers. After graduating from UCLA, she traveled through international seaside towns, introducing people to the wonders of the ocean ecosystem as a dive instructor. When she returned to live near family in Orange County, she continued to dedicate herself to connecting people to nature. Christie started her career as an Ocean Institute living history and outdoor science educator. She has since served in almost every capacity to support local nonprofit conservation and education organizations. She is responsible for the strategic planning and development of Laguna Canyon Foundation’s education and volunteer programs based in the South Coast Wilderness. In her spare time, she enjoys birding, traveling, photography, reading, and long walks with her husband and dogs.

Trading his rubber boots for hiking boots, craft beer brewer Chris is now spending his time in the coastal sage scrub habitat as a Conservation Project Manager.  A graduate from Arizona State University with a BS is Biological Sciences, Chris is currently attending ASU as an MS student in Biomimicry and Oregon State University focusing on ecology. Constantly curious, Chris proudly considers himself a generalist and believes that a sustainable future, one that accounts for social health, environmental health and economic health is one that is possible through shared knowledge, inclusion and grassroots organization.

Derek is the Outreach and Development Director and works towards managing LCF’s marketing and community efforts along with the volunteer, education, and fundraising programs. He studied Natural Resource Management in his home state of Louisiana, graduating from the University of New Orleans. His career has ranged from leading adventure treks through the Atchafalaya Swamp, engaging with global communities on environmental and food justice issues, and educating the public through interpretive programming throughout Orange County’s coast and open spaces! When he isn’t working, Derek can generally be found near the ocean, hiking through open spaces in Orange County, or in the Sierras camping, backpacking, or fly fishing! He also loves to travel to new areas of California with his wife whenever they have the opportunity- most people say he’s seen more of California in his 5 years here than what many locals see in a lifetime!

Dulce graduated from Humboldt State University earning a bachelor’s degree in Ecological Restoration. She fell in love with the coastal sage scrub native vegetation when she volunteered a summer at the Santiago Creek Nature Center in Santa Ana during her undergrad. Her favorite native plant is white sage (Salvia apiana). She loves to hike with her dog Khaleesi, having multiple cups of coffee, watching her favorite shows the Office and Game of Thrones and hanging out with her family.

Emma (she/her) graduated from Pomona College in Claremont, California with a degree in Biology (ecology focused) and Music. She has worked multiple research-based technician jobs and has worked in the wildlife consulting industry, learning about various California and Washington ecosystems and species of concern along the way. Originally from the California Bay Area, she has grown up being exposed to the outdoors, focused on connecting with nature and curiosity, and valuing service to her community, which continues through this position. Emma hopes to make outdoor spaces fun, safe, and accessible to everyone she leads, regardless of experience level and background. Throughout college and her working life, she has found herself working in the California Sage Scrub ecosystem, and is happy to continue that trend now. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her dog, playing the violin, creating ceramic art, and crocheting.

Erika graduated in 2020 from Doane University, where she majored in Environmental Science and Biology. When she started at LCF as a Conservation Tech, she knew she was in the right place and enjoys spending time working outside. She especially loves surveying and watching birds and will take any opportunity she gets to polish her birding skills. Her three favorite birds are the Killdeer, American Kestrel, and Common Raven. When she’s not at work, Erika enjoys mountain biking, surfing, going to the record store, and hanging out with her family and dogs! 

Joanne joined the LCF Education Team in 2011.  Her passion is being outdoors helping children discover and explore the wonders of nature and the wilderness. She is small in stature but has a big heart for the kids she hikes with.  She will tell you this has been the best job she has ever had.  She has a BA in Child Development from California State University Long Beach.  Joanne has been an educator and instructor in both classroom and business settings and has developed educational programs for both children and adults.  She tries to spend as much time as she can with her grandson shooting hoops (not very successfully) talking, and laughing a lot.  If she isn’t on a trail, you will likely find her walking at the Dana Point Harbor or Doheny Beach or at home in front of a TV lifting weights with the Peloton instructors or doing Zumba.

Joyce is excited to join the LCF Team and looks forward to sharing these beautiful trails and its rich ecology with all her students. She is passionate about protecting the outdoors and connecting people of all backgrounds to nature. She has led field trips through historical citrus groves, guided college students on outdoor excursions, taught sustainable agriculture and homesteading practices on an educational farm, and most recently led camping trips for middle schoolers in the Redwood forests of Mendocino. She graduated from UC Riverside with a B.S. in Environmental Sciences, and first realized the importance of experiencing science outdoors while studying abroad in the tropical forests of Costa Rica. Since graduating she has worked for several non-profits in the Bay Area and is overjoyed to return to the coast of California she grew up in. In her free time you can find her on a run through the fragrant chaparral trails near her home, singing in her kitchen while cooking up a new recipe, or snuggling up with her dog after a long hike.

As a native of Laguna Beach having experienced a lifetime exploring the open spaces surrounding her hometown, Karin possesses a deep passion for the South Coast Wilderness. Inspired by her love for this treasured space, Karin is beyond excited to serve the vital mission of Laguna Canyon Foundation as the Executive Director, giving back to the place that brought her so much joy growing up.

Karin’s professional background includes acting as the Director for Animal Care and Operations at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Senior Director at the Ocean Institute, and Founder and Executive Director at Working Circle, a nationally recognized non-profit dedicated to wild wolf conservation.

One of Karin’s professional accomplishments includes being listed as one of Forbes 50 over 50 women making an impact in 2021.

In her spare time, Karin enjoys ocean distance swims and competing in equestrian sports with her horse Mikey. One thing most people don’t know about Karin is that she is a true Trekkie – the original Star Trek series of course!

Inspired by her time volunteering, interning, and working at various environmental organizations, Marjorie started her career in the environmental horticulture field during her time studying Environmental Science and Management at UC Davis. Overall, she’s a life-long learner who is most passionate about habitat enhancement and community involvement in natural resource management. Outside of being a full-time plant person, Marjorie greatly enjoys practicing her creative side through drawing and crocheting, as well as going on adventures with her family, friends, and dog.

Ryan earned a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Science at The California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where one of his proudest moments while attending was hand-picking hundreds of pounds of produce on the campus farm.  He says that he will always be a student and strives to never stop learning what life has to teach, especially with help from his generously knowledgeable team-members.  Being born and raised in South OC, Ryan has always had a deep curiosity toward nature and is now overwhelmingly grateful for playing a part in an organization that strives to protect it.  Outside of work, Ryan may be seen passing by on his bicycle, in the kitchen experimenting with plant-based foods, or attempting to tame his ferocious kitten Mariposa.

Originally from Laguna Beach, Sara is a graduate from the International Master in Applied Ecology program, with a dual degree in Ecology and Wildlife Conservation from the University of Poiters and the University of East Anglia. She gained experience in all kinds wildlife research, including a 6 month project with once critically endangered Rodrigues Fruit Bats. After her masters, she moved to Berlin for an urban wildlife research project, where she lived for 3 years. Sara has passed her two year mark with LCF and loves watching this incredible organization grow. In her free time, Sara enjoys traveling, singing, playing guitar, and spending time in nature.

Taylor graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a B.A. in Sociology and the University of California, Irvine with a Master’s in Conservation and Restoration Science.  With a background in social and environmental sciences, she hopes to help educate others the importance of restoring and conserving Southern California’s beautiful landscapes. Taylor loves working in the great outdoors and learning what nature has to teach her. When she’s not at work, she can be found hanging out at the beach with her dog or curled up reading a good book.

As Director of Finance, Theresa manages the administrative side of Laguna Canyon Foundation’s work. She handles the organization’s finances, human resources, IT, and copyediting – if it doesn’t fall under someone else’s job description, it’s probably her responsibility! Theresa’s passion for conservation brought her to the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she earned her master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management. When she’s not saving the planet through the magic of bookkeeping, Theresa enjoys baking, reading, and patiently explaining the difference between Star Wars and Star Trek to anyone who will listen.